Open Thread – 12/18/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:43 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 182019

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox. Yesterday was a gruesome day. TriMet Lift got me to the hospital 75 minutes early. No complaint. Better that than late. Then the Anesthesiologist was two hours late to my procedure. She was planning a general, but I would likely have to have spent the night, if they did. I ordered her to dope me up as little as possible with twilight drugs, gritted my teeth, and bore up under the pain, which was more severe than I anticipated. The doctor did hit the target, and I should know next week. WWWendy (God bless her!) got me home around five and fed me. I could not be more pleased that day is over! I’m pooped.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:29 (average 5:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Republicans would love to do this to all minorities!

Fantasy Football Report:

Here’s the latest in our own fantasy football league.

15Playoffs

Congrats to me and the Squatch for winning our games. Kudos to me for a record high score. This weekend WWWendy plays me, and Vivian plays the Squatch in the Semifinal games. Patty Monster is bye this week and will win the 5th place game next week. Good luck to all!

Short Takes:

From NY Times: The next Democratic presidential debate will go on as scheduled Thursday, after negotiators on Tuesday reached agreement in a labor dispute that had threatened to upend the event while highlighting organized labor’s influence with the leading Democratic presidential candidates.

The debate, which will be held at Loyola Marymount University, had been in question since last week after the seven participating Democrats each said that they would not cross a picket line, if there was one.

The dispute, between a cafeteria workers union and a food services company at Loyola Marymount, involved only about 150 workers and had drawn little notice over nine months. Yet in the heated political atmosphere surrounding the 2020 Democratic presidential contest, the impasse attracted outsized attention this month as the sixth primary debate approached.

Kudos to all the Democratic candidates for supporting the fight against the Republican War on labor! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): McConnell on impeachment trial: I’m not an impartial juror

Since Bought Mitch Moscow Mitch refuses to accede to his Constitutional mandate of impartiality, either he should recuse himself, or Injustice Roberts of SCROTUS (Republican anti-Constitutional VD) should order him to step down. Fat Chance! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): George Harrison-Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/16/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 162019

It’s another busy day here in the CatBox, as I prepare for tomorrow’s needle biopsy. I will be leaving at 7:00, and I won’t be home until supper time, so I will be posting only a brief Personal Update, prepared the night before, except for my puzzle times. If you play Fantasy Football in our league, I will be at least a day late in posting the results, so please visit the League to see who you will be playing this weekend and prepare your lineup. Oh God, It’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:31 (average 5:05). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Religious Agony:

1215Broncos3-Chiefs23

The better team won in the Snow Bowl.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Rep. Maxine Waters: Lindsey Graham Has Thumbed Nose At America

Trump met with the Russian Foreign Minister to give him instructions to pass on to Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch. Lindsey Poo needs on Russian middle man. He gets his instruction directly from Trump’s asshole. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: The reason Republicans are allowed to do things like obstruct Supreme Court justice appointments and ignore all of the evidence in an impeachment trial is pretty easy to see when you watch this interview on ABC’s This Week where George Stephanopoulis steps off the reality train into Obstruction Desert, where one side is solely responsible for the other side’s unconstitutional, unethical, fantasy-based, cult embrace of Dear Leader.

In this interview it is the job of the Democrats to teach pigs to dance bring Republicans to a place where they can set aside their decision to put their party over their country and instead weigh the evidence and convict Trump of the high crimes and misdemeanors for which he is charged.

As if there is some murky doubt about any of the evidence. As if confessions were not publicly uttered by Trump himself, defiant and just as criminal as if he had whispered them behind closed doors.

Far too many so-called journalists of note, goose-step with the Fuhrer and the Republican Reich! Thank God for the good ones! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Animals – We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/14/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:50 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 142019

It’s another tired day here at the CatBox. My heartburn flared up last night, and I slept poorly. Tomorrow a Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb. My Broncos visit the Chiefs and I look forward to reading about how they do. It’s not televised here, of course. May the Divine Orb shine it’s blessed light on your team, unless you need a name. 😉 It’s also a WWWendy day, and it’d been so humid that I need extra de-stinking. Also, we have chores to do, so please expect no more than a personal update. Have a fine weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:01 (average 5:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Across the United Kingdom on Friday, Britons mourned their long-cherished right to claim that Americans were significantly dumber than they are.

Luxuriating in the superiority of their intellect over Americans’ has long been a favorite pastime in Britain, surpassing in popularity such games as cricket, darts, and snooker.

But, according to Alistair Dorrinson, a pub owner in North London, British voters have done irreparable damage to the “most enjoyable sport this nation has ever known: namely, treating Americans like idiots.”

“When our countrymen cast their votes yesterday, they didn’t realize they were destroying the most precious leisure activity this nation has ever known,” he said. “Wankers.”

Amen, Andy! Are they a bunch of Bridiots, or what? RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Mitch McConnell On Impeachment: We’ll Be In ‘Total Coordination’ With White House

Bought Bitch Barf Bag Alert!!

I don’t think there is anything illegal about this, probably because nobody ever envisioned the total lack of ethics from Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch. Imagine a criminal trial in which the Chairman, of the jury, is “coordinating closely” with the defendant and his lawyers. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/13/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:45 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 132019

It’s a lazy day here in the CatBox. I want to get as much rest as I can, in spite of mild Republicosis. TGIF!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:55 (average 5:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

It’s That Day Again:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: For the third year in a row, Donald J. Trump has been named Person of the Year by the magazine Popular Sociopath, the publication announced on Thursday.

“Once a year, we at Popular Sociopath recognize the person who best epitomizes sociopathic-personality disorder, which manifests in antisocial behavior and a total absence of conscience and concern for others,” Harland Dorrinson, the magazine’s editor, said. “We are delighted to bestow this honor, once again, on Donald J. Trump.”

Dorrinson said that Trump bested a daunting roster of competitors for the title, including the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell; the Fox News host Tucker Carlson; and Trump’s own son Donald J. Trump, Jr.

Dang, Andy! He’ll never have trouble winning that one! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Jerry Nadler Shocks GOP With Surprise End To Trump Impeachment Debate

I love it! John “Limp” Boner and Paul “Lyin'” Ryan did things like this to Democrats so many times that turnabout is fair play. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Creedence Clearwater Revival: Run Through The Jungle

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Is the Fat in the Fire? Almost!

Posted by TomCat at 10:02 am Politics

Dec 102019

Nancy Pelosi and the appropriate Committee heads held a news conference this morning announcing the two Articles of Impeachment that the plan to submit to the house Thursday. Since it’s Trump, one must ask, is the fat in the fire? Almost!

House Democrats unveiled two narrowly drawn articles of impeachment against President Trump on Tuesday, saying he had abused the power of his office and obstructed Congress in its investigation of his conduct regarding Ukraine.

“We must be clear: No one, not even the president, is above the law,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said at a news conference where he was flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other House leaders.

At the heart of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election… RESIST!!

Inserted from <Washington Post>

Here’s complete video of the news conference.

Special Report: Democratic leaders announce articles of impeachment against Trump

I chopped the dead time from the beginning. I’m certain that the full House will be voting to impeach the Fuhrer soon. Then the fat will be in the fire.

RESIST!!

Open Thread – 12/6/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:25 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 062019

It’s a quiet, lazy day here at the CatBox. All yesterday’s groceries are stashed, and except for PP and investing in ZZZZZs, my only appointment today is a visit from Providence Home Medical Equipment to pick up their O₂ concentrator between 10 AM and 1 PM. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:11 (average 4:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Don’t make light of Nancy Pelosi’s constitutional duties.

A reporter, Sinclair’s James Rosen, decided to shout a question to the House Speaker as she ended her Thursday press conference and announcement that the House will draw up articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.

He asked Nancy Pelosi if she hates the president.

Colleen alluded to this yesterday. Was it a thing of beauty, or what? RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Pete Buttigieg And The Republican Lie

I suspect Pete is lying to help him against more progressive candidates. That takes him down a notch in my estimation. The proof of the matter is in the following chart. He needs to be prepared to support the winner if the Democratic nomination no matter who it is, as do we all.

1206defecit

RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Lyrics~Stand By Me-Ben E. King

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Impeach Eggnog for Christmas!

Posted by TomCat at 9:23 am Politics

Dec 052019

In my younger days, we used to treat our friends to a strong eggnog custard with chopped fruit added. This season, we all get to celebrate our good will with a special treat. Impeach Eggnog. Nancy Pelosi issued the directive shortly after 9 AM EST this morning.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi appeared on Capitol Hill Thursday morning to announce next steps in the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Pelosi began by reviewing some of the same historical foundations for impeachment that were covered in the Wednesday hearings before the House Judiciary Committee. She then provided a brief overview of the public hearings held before the Intelligence Committee, calling those who answered congressional subpoenas to appear “true patriots.”

“The president leaves us no choice but to act, because he has engaged once again in an abuse of power,” said Pelosi. She then announced that she was asking for Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to proceed with articles of impeachment against Trump.

The brief statement makes it clear that there are not going to be further lengthy hearings in the House; instead, articles will be drawn up for a vote before the full House. It appears that the House will complete the business of impeaching Trump before the Christmas break… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Daily Kos>

Watch full video of Nancy Pelosi’s impeachment statement

I’ll start celebrating early this year. Merry Christmas, with Impeach Eggnog!

RESIST!!

House Intel Committee Report

Posted by TomCat at 9:08 am Politics

Dec 042019

Yesterday the House Intelligence Committee completed their their report outlining some of the high crimes and misdemeanors committed by Resident Donald Trump. I have read the summary and skimmed the document, and it is truly magnificent. It is a shame that Trump will have Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch protecting him in the Senate. Nevertheless you should understand the report, so you can teach others, especially those who are not paying attention, with 2020 in mind.

House Democrats on Tuesday asserted that President Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to help him in the 2020 presidential election, releasing an impeachment report that found the president “placed his own personal and political interests above the national interests of the United States.”

The report by the House Intelligence Committee was a sweeping indictment of the president’s behavior, concluding that he sought to undermine American democracy and endangered national security, then worked to conceal his actions from Congress. Democrats left it to another committee to decide whether to recommend Mr. Trump’s impeachment, but their report presented what are all but certain to be the grounds on which the House votes to formally charge him.

“The founding fathers prescribed a remedy for a chief executive who places his personal interests above those of the country: impeachment,” it said.

The intelligence panel adopted it, strictly along partisan lines, hours after its release…